Riley McGree sets sights on FIFA Player of the Year award after Puskas nomination

Melbourne City midfielder Riley McGree is hoping he can one day be nominated for a FIFA Player of the Year award after his Puskas award nomination.

Speaking on Evenings on FNR, McGree, who scored a famous ‘scorpion kick’ goal last season, described the experience as “surreal” and aspires to one day be nominated for one of the best in the world awards.

“It was very surreal to be in a room with those people and just sitting amongst them you have to kind of take a step back and look back at what has happened in your career,” McGree said.

“It drove me to be there one day not for the goal of the year, but for the player of the year.”

The 20 year old is at City on loan from Club Brugge and says he has settled in quite well in his Bundoora surroundings and among his current playing stocks.

“I have settled in quite well I think,” McGree said.

“[They are a] great quality bunch, both on and off the field.”

“We are all quite close and we all have that goal in mind, we are growing week in, week out which is very pleasing to see.”

He was also full of praise for head-coach Warren Joyce who believes the team has begun to implement the style of football the manager has been honing into the squad.

“He has his style of football he wants to play and he coaches us well,” McGree said.

“We try to implement that on the field and I think as the season has gone along, we have become a bit more consistent.”